The Foundation for Boston Centers for Youth & Families was born out of the Community Schools movement in the 1970s. As new schools were being built throughout Boston, a committed and caring group of individuals advocated keeping them open during after-school hours. This dedicated group of Bostonians envisioned these buildings serving as neighborhood-based hubs of civic engagement and community resources, teeming with children engaged in variety of enriching after school activities. Their vision laid the groundwork for the establishment of a network of school-based and stand-alone community centers that offers an extensive range of high-quality, outcome-driven programs based on neighborhood needs and interest. Today this network of 35 community centers is operated by Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) the City's largest human services agency.The wide-range of programing and events offered by the BCYF community center network would not be possible without the financial support of the Foundation for BCYF, a separate 501(c)3 organization focused on fundraising to support BCYF programs and events.The Foundation for Boston Centers for Youth & Families support free and affordable programs for all ages and in every neighborhood. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for Boston residents by partnering with community-based organizations to offer a wide range of comprehensive programs and activities according to neighborhood need and interest.